So You Want to Be President?
Judith St. George
Illustrations by David Small
 
With the election over, kids (and adults) may want to consider some Presidents from the past. St. George covers executives from Washington to George W. Bush, dividing them into unexpected groups based on questions readers might ask. What’s good about being President? For one thing, you don’t have to eat yucky broccoli. What’s bad? People get mad at the President (someone threw a cabbage at Taft) and the President always has to be dressed up--McKinley wore a frock coat, carnation, and top hat. What’s the most popular first name? It’s James! Highest number of siblings? Benjamin Harrison had eleven. Presidents come in all sizes, with varying abilities and surprising pets. Small’s wicked caricatures (winning him a Caldecott Medal) let readers imagine intellectual Woodrow Wilson dancing a tango, while Warren Harding puffs away on a Sousaphone and FDR converses genially with John Adams. A fascinating book including statistics for each President and some thoughtful comments!

​2004, All Ages


Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.

If I Ran for President
Catherine Stier
Illustrations by Lynne Avril
 
November means elections, but kids may wonder--just how do you get to the White House? Follow along as multicultural classmates take turns imagining each step of a presidential campaign. Ben (who resembles a young Obama) announces his candidacy and loves his workers, T-shirts, and bumper stickers. Ellie enters the New Hampshire primary and speaks at her convention, while Sam debates issues on television (his baby picture makes Cool People magazine). Serious Claire flies to meet voters, but finds it’s hard to smile when she’s stuffed with unfamiliar food; Marco votes for his favorite candidate (himself) and watches election returns with his parents. Proud to have run, African-American Ashley plans to congratulate the winner, but when electoral votes are counted, might she be the new President? Avril’s stylish illustrations, using lots of red, white, and blue, highlight the intense activity and add lively details. For future voters trying to understand campaigning, this book’s a winner, too!

2007, Ages 6 to 9

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.